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Water Service Line Material Investigation
The Town of Bedford is dedicated to ensuring safe and clean drinking water for all members of our community and addressing lead service lines to ensure public safety and quality of our drinking water.
On October 16, 2024, The Town of Bedford completed the federally mandated Lead Service Line Inventory of all customer service pipe materials. While there have been no identified instances of lead levels above regulatory standards in Bedford, we are mandated to identify and address any potential sources of lead that may exist.
This comprehensive service line inventory and assessment of water service lines are in partnership with engineering consultants, utilizing advance data collection and GIS mapping tools. Our goal by October 2027 is to investigate, document and where necessary replace lead service lines to reduce lead exposure. We remain committed to public health, water quality and infrastructure improvements, and we invite residents to stay informed about our progress and provide transparent communication on our ongoing effort to establish a lead-free water system.
Through this website, you’ll find a list of frequently asked questions, regular updates on our progress, the steps we are taking to protect your health and the ongoing replacement program for any lead service lines identified. Together, we’re building a safer healthier future for all.
Lead Service Line Replacement Program Phase 2
Excavation Starting July 2025
What to Expect
To access underground pipes, the contractor will dig a small excavation in one location within the Town of Bedford’s Right-Of-Way, near the property line by the water service curb stop valve, to expose the service line. If the service line material is determined to be lead or galvanized steel, it will be scheduled for replacement with a new service line. The new line will be connected from the water main in the street to your building's water meter or the curb stop. On the day of excavation, the contractor will temporarily patch holes in the yard and street. The contractor will return to restore the holes to pre-work conditions as soon as possible, but may need to wait for favorable growing weather.
You will receive a door hangar with more information if your house has been identified for this excavation work. Not every home on a street will need to be excavated. Based on exhaustive review of records, only the properties with unknown water service material types need to be investigated. The Town has used MassDEP approved statistical modeling to select the properties that must be excavated.
Out of the 4,907 water service lines in Bedford, 4008 have records showing copper water service material. The remaining 899 water service lines have an unknown material type. These were divided into multiple statistical models based on installation date of the water main. Each modelled area will have a small portion (20%) of the “Unknown” properties identified for this excavation work. To ensure each area reaches the statistical accuracy required, several back up locations have also been identified. These back up properties will be receiving door hangars as well to inform residents of the potential for excavation work on the water service line.
If you have any questions or would additional information please send an email to watersurvey@bedfordma.gov
- Service Line Investigation - November Press Release
- Frequently Asked Questions - Water Service Line Investigation
- Letter to Residents with Unknown Water Service Types - 11-15-24 (PDF)
- Water Service Line Investigation Plan - 11-15-2024 (PDF)
- Resident Notification - Sweetwater Ave/Hayden Lane Water Main Replacement Area (PDF)
The Town splits ownership of the service line at the curb stop or service valve. The Town is responsible for the portion of the service line between the water main and the curb stop or valve and the customer is responsible for the portion from the curb stop to the service connection inside the home.
Figure 1-1 illustrates a configuration with the water meter inside the home, which is the typical configuration in the Town. If the water meter is located inside the home or building, the Town is responsible for the service line from the water main in the street to the curb stop (utility side), typically at the property line or in the sidewalk. The property owner is responsible for the service line from the curb stop to the meter inside the home (customer side).
As of October 2024, the Town has completed the development of a draft inventory through the review of historical records, field investigations, and customer submittals. A summary of the inventory designations is provided in Table 1-1. These designations are based on EPA guidance, with the overall service line designations determining the replacement requirements. Based on the records review, field investigations, and customer feedback, the system currently contains NO LSLs or galvanized requiring replacement. As of October 2024, the Town has completed the development of a draft inventory through the review of historical records, field investigations, and customer submittals. A summary of the inventory designations is provided in Table 1-1. These designations are based on EPA guidance, with the overall service line designations determining the replacement requirements. Based on the records review, field investigations, and customer feedback, the system currently contains NO LSLs or galvanized requiring replacement.
Table 1-1: Inventory Summary
Material Designation | Public Portion of the Service Line | Customer (Private) Portion of the Service Line | Whole Service Line Designation |
| Lead | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Non-Lead | 3,926 | 4,839 | 3,917 |
| Galvanized Requiring Replacement | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown | 887 | 65 | 899 |
As described above, the draft inventory was developed utilizing historic records, field investigations, and customer submittals. Table 1-2 provides an overview of data available from each source, which is also covered in detail in the following sub-sections.As described above, the draft inventory was developed utilizing historic records, field investigations, and customer submittals. Table 1-2 provides an overview of data available from each source, which is also covered in detail in the following sub-sections.As described above, the draft inventory was developed utilizing historic records, field investigations, and customer submittals. Table 1-2 provides an overview of data available from each source, which is also covered in detail in the following sub-sections.
Table 1-2: Records Sources
| Information Source | Connector Material | Public Portion of the Service Line | Customer (Private) Portion of the Service Line | ||||
| Material | Install Date | Diameter | Material | Install Date | Diameter | ||
| Water Service Tie Card | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Water Meter Replacement Records | X | X | |||||
| Watermain Replacement Records | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Water and Sewer Permits | X | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Building As-Builts | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Customer Submittals | X | X | X | ||||
| Door-to-Door Verifications | X | X | X | ||||
The Town had water service tie cards, watermain replacement records, water permits, and water meter replacement records, which were reviewed to develop the initial inventory. Available watermain replacement records were utilized, which included the replacement of the public and private portion of the service line if the service line was not 1” copper per standard utility practices. Water and sewer permits indicating water service line material, diameters, and dates for both public and private side were also utilized. During the water and sewer permit review, a permit application form from May 1983 requiring new water services to be 1” Type K tubing was identified. This permit documents that the Town did not allow lead services to be installed at least as early as May 1983. The assumption that any service line installed beginning in 1984 is 1” copper has been applied to the inventory. Also, as part of Bedford’s water meter replacement program beginning in 2019, records indicating the private-side water service material and diameter were reviewed.
As part of the draft inventory development, the Town completed field verifications in the form of building inspections to determine the water service material on the customer side. In August 2024, CDM Smith with the assistance of Martinez Couch & Associates, LLC, attempted approximately 150 internal building inspections to determine the water service material entering the building (private side). The crews were successful in entering and confirming the private-side water service material for about 60 customers.
Verifications During Routine Maintenance
The Town currently conducts regular maintenance activities that allow them to observe the service line material on both the public and customer-owned portion of the service line. Opportunities include leak repairs on the service line, meter installation and replacement work, adjacent utility updates to drains and sewers, and inspections following the installation or replacement of a new service. Staff should take advantage of these opportunities and collect data during these observations, including but not limited to, photos, material designation information, and diameter information. Service line materials identified through routine maintenance will help reduce the number of annual service lines that are required to be replaced starting in 2027.
Our Plan for Lead Service Line Replacement
If your property has or may have a lead service line, please rest assured that we are fully committed to addressing it with care and efficiency. Here’s what you can expect during the process:
1. Notification – If your home is identified as needing further inspection or service line replacement, we will notify you in advance with clear instructions and timelines.
2. No-Cost Replacement – In most cases, the town will cover the cost of replacing the lead service line from the water main to your home.
3. Minimal Disruption – Our crews will work closely with residents to minimize any inconvenience. Temporary water services will be provided if necessary.
4. Follow-Up Testing – After the replacement, we will conduct water testing to ensure your home’s water is free from any contaminants, giving you peace of mind.
Community Resources
- Community Health Information
- Lead Prevention Tips -Consumer notification letter
- Links to MassDEP and EPA information on lead in drinking water
Progress Dashboard - COMING SOON
- Progress bar showing number of total service lines and unknown service lines
- GIS thermal map
Engagement and Feedback
If you have questions, concerns or need additional information about the lead service line inventory or replacement process please reach out to us at watersurvey@bedfordma.gov